Murder Begins in the Heart
You Have Heard...
Part of DNA Guides
May 2, 2022

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

Read Together:

Matthew 5:21-26 CSB
21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. 22 “But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. 23 “So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 “leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 “Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 “Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.

Grow Together: Observe and Apply

This week, we began a new series “You Have Heard…”, looking at 6 instances where Jesus uses the phrase: “You have heard it said…but I tell you…”Jesus frequently challenges his audience’s understanding of Scripture when he says this. It doesn’t mean he is contradicting Scripture (as he made clear in Matthew 5:17), it’s that he’s bringing clarity to what the people have misunderstood about it. Secondly, his audience often limited Old Testament commandments to external actions, not inward righteousness. Jesus reveals the true intention of the law - God does not look just on the outside of the man, but at the heart.

In Matthew 5, Jesus uses this phrase “You have heard it said” for the first time, and he begins by addressing the topic of murder. The question becomes, “Can I be considered a good person if I’m not a murderer?”

Matthew 5:21 // “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.

Jesus is referring back to the law of Moses - specifically, the 10 Commandments. The teaching of the scribes and pharisees was consistent with Moses - do not murder. The problem was, they also taught that anything short of murder might be allowed. To them, the law was a matter of external behavior, not the heart. Jesus brings the law back to the condition of the heart.

Matthew 5:22a // But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

Jesus is not referring to quick bursts of anger, like ‘Hey, that guy cut me off!’ He’s referring to contempt - to despise, show disdain for, deep-seated hostility, holding grudges. He’s not talking about prayerful and healthy boundaries, it’s about lingering contempt towards another person. Jesus says that if you maintain this kind of attitude towards someone, it’s as-if you’ve murdered them in your heart. Now, is anger as bad as murder? Absolutely not. The results of thinking horribly about someone else and actually killing them are vastly different. The point Jesus is making is that both begin in the same place, from the same emotion, and both are subject to judgment.

God is concerned with both murderous acts AND murderous attitudes.

The simple fact is, vicious acts of violence done to another human being are always rooted in the heart FIRST. The command isn’t just about what NOT to do, but also what TO do. Ultimately, the commands God gives us are not just rules to be followed to avoid judgment, they are an invitation into kingdom living that results in human flourishing.

Questions to Discuss

  • C.S. Lewis said, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” How does that land with you today?
  • Have you struggled with holding onto anger and bitterness towards others?
  • Is there anyone you need to reconcile with? What could it look like to take the first step?

Pray Together:

Father, thank you that while we were your enemies, in your grace, you pursued us. Thank you that you’ve reconciled us to yourself through the life, death, and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ. Just as we’ve been forgiven and loved, help us to extend forgiveness and love towards others. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.